Random musings about Verve Stamps, mixed-media and the artistry found in everyday life.

Blogoversary Giveaway!

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Wow! It's hard to believe that it's only been a year that I've been blogging. So many of you seem like old time friends that I've known forever, and it's only been in the past year that I've met you. Hooray for blogging! Hooray for new friends! This blog has been a blessing to me beyond my wildest dreams. Hubby had been bugging me to start a blog for 2 years before I started this one, and I'm so glad he did. I feel honored to read every single comment that's left here and feel like I owe you all a thousand thanks for your support and encouraging words as I wander along my creative path.

So to celebrate my blogoversary, I've got some goodies to give away! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post answering the following question by 10PM ET on January 9. I'll announce the winners on January 10.

What would you like to see change/improve in your stamping life in 2008?

I'll pick three random winners from all the comments I receive. Each winner will receive one of the January 10 releases from Verve Visual. The first winner will receive the Wild Thing set used on today's card. The second winner will receive the Seeing Stars Set and the third winner will receive the Heart to Heart set. I'll be showing you peeks of the other two sets later this week. Check out the Verve blog for more sneak peeks. Winners must have a mailing address in the US or Canada and cannot be a member of the Verve Visual Design Team.

So today's card highlights my favorite set from the new release and uses this week's Mojo Monday Sketch. Is it okay for me to have favorites? :) Wild Thing is totally my personality, and since Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday and hubby's birthday is the day after V-Day, I needed something flirty and fun to make some cards for him. This clear stamp set has swirly hearts and flirty sentiments that you'll love.

So all that said, maybe I should answer the question myself. During 2008 I would really like to see an improvement in my shading/coloring skills. I have never taken an art class, (not even in high school), so I'm completely at a loss when people talk about the "light source" and perspective. I just do what feels right, but it never looks like what I think it should. I would really like to be able to achieve some greater depth in my shading. I watched Sherrie's video tutorial using her copics, and I can't wait to try out some of these new tips. Maybe if I really work on it this year, I can become a better colorer.

About Today's Card...I started this card by randomly stamping the solid swirly heart in Pretty in Pink and the solid small heart in Purely Pomegranate to make a background pattern on my Pretty in Pink card stock. I then ran the cardstock through the Cuttlebug with the D'Vine Swirls embossing folder and wrapped some May Arts satin ribbon around the side before matting on a Basic Black card base. I then cut and embossed two rectangle shapes with my Rectangle Nestabilities and stamped the heart frame stamp in Purely Pomegranate. Next I stamped the solid swirl stamp in Pretty in Pink inside the frame. They're a perfect fit and since the stamps are clear, they're so easy to line up. Next I stamped the Wild Thing You Make My Heart Sing sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black. I then decided I wanted the heart to "pop" a little bit more so I stamped another solid swirl in Pretty in Pink, cut out and layered with a pop dot inside the solid heart frame. To finish off, I added some pink rhinestone bling to the white panel and the ribbon strip.

260 comments

Happy New Year Julee! What an adorable card! And it's got me humming the song, LOL!2 things come to mind ... like you, I want to enhance my coloring and try new techniques of coloring and shading - gamsol magic is next on my list. I'd also like to learn how to create better tutorials for my classes and my blog. Thanks for the opportunity!Nicolethestampinlibrarian.com

I was just thinking about this. I think I am going to stop signing up for swaps this year. I make a bunch of cards, spend money to send them and get others back, and then they all just sit there. I also plan to give away the cards I have just sitting there to the troops.

I would like to be more purposeful about my use of time. I tend to spend a lot of time on the computer looking for ideas, or inspiration, and not a lot of time stamping, so I end up leaving everything to that last minute. NOT GOOD! I want that to change. I also want to be more organized.

Happy New Year! I want to work on choosing better color combinations - I tend to stick with the same color, just different shades (how boring, right?). I also want to try to limit myself to my tools (but its so hard with so many fun toys!) and try to be creative with what i already have. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Happy New Year! What would I like to change about my stamping world? First, I'd like to stop depending so much on other people's creations and develop a look of my own. I love stalking blogs and browsing the SCS gallery, and I've learned so much from you. But it's time for me to set out on my own. Develop my own creative mojo - whatever that might be. Lastly, I'd really like to perfect my shading/coloring capabilities. I'm working on it, but have a long ways to go. Can't wait to see who the winners are! Thanks for the opportunity!

This is such a lovely card, well my stamping has improved tremendously since I started blogging but need to improve my use of embellishment use. Keep buying them but don't use them, sometimes it is because I really don't know where to put them, but am working on it.

I want to become less of a hoarder this year. I have so much "stuff" and would like to use it this year rather than investing in more. I would also like to learn some new techniques. Thank you for sharing this precious card.Cheryl Sims

Happy New Year and congrats on your blogoversary!! I've been thinking about this lots - I'd like to come up with more original ideas, start a sketch book, and work on my colouring. I think I will start committing to do some SCS challenges weekly. Thanks for the giveaway!

Happy Blogoversary Julee!! *I'm* so glad your hubby encouraged you to start your blog too! What I'd like to change/improve in my stamping life - well certainly I'd love my skill level to improve in MANY areas, but the thing that would really impact that is making MORE TIME for stamping! So that's what I'd like to change - I'd like to make it a set part of my daily, or at least weekly, routine!! Practice, practice, practice, that's the only way I'll improve! :-)

What an adorable card. I love Valentine's day!!!! Something I would like to improve on this year is submitting my designs for contests and publications. My mom has challenged me to do this so I know she will keep encouraging me. Happy blogaversary!!!

I would love to be able to stamp perfect sentiments - especially when I want to do them straight onto a card. I now know it is all about careful ink application and just the right pressure but I need practice!

Happy Blogoversary! Happy New Year! Happy new releases coming! I can't wait to see them :)

In the coming year, I actively stamp more. I spend so much time just sitting and staring at my stuff, waiting for inspiration. My goal is to just play and see what happens, not worry if it's perfect on the first try!

Hi Julee. The thing that I want to change in 2008 is getting cards done ahead of time. It seems like I am always rushing to make cards for an occassion - I would love to have cards made ahead of time for each occassion. I am going to make it a goal to have cards done at least 2 weeks in advance of when they are needed!

Happy Blogoversary (that's hard to type!) and Happy New Year as well! I am with you on improving my coloring skills this year and not avoiding images that need coloring. I also would like to change up my style a little and stop procrastinating when I need to get a project done. It never takes as long as I think it will - I'm a slow learner sometimes.

I would actually like to make cards and items in the season I am in, instead of working backwards. I am making halloween stuff now. and just pulled some cardstock for 4th of July, so I cant get into the right mood for Christmas or Valentines when I should. I just hate the cold I guess.

I would just love to devote more time to stamping and scrapping. I need to get better about time management, and stop spending so much time looking for inspiration and just creating instead. KWIM? I need to take more risks and create a style that I am completely comfortable with.

Congrats on your 1 yr anniversary! thanks for sharing your ideas with all of us. This year I am going to send my cards out. I make cards and horde them for no good reason. also I am going to submit some more of my work to contests etc. thanks for the chance to win!

I would like to create cards that are not rushed. I want to be CHALLENGED regularly and meet the challenges. I also want to start my Christmas cards EARLIER this year (I did them in mid-December, EEEEK)...so that I can be sure I will have enough and that I won't wear myself out before I even get a chance to finish (my goal was 60, I made 45....)

What I would love to do is muster the courage to submit cards for publication...I need to just do it! Thanks for the wonderful blog and all of your inspiration...and oh yeah, a chance to win this great blog candy!!!

Hey Julee...this is a challenge since I think there are lots that I need to improve on! I think I have found a style I most comfortable (and corresponding stamps) so I think I want to attempt to move out of my standard layouts (you know those ones you keep generating even when you had no intention of doing that in the first place!). I certainly will be doing more sketch challenges to find more "go-tos". Ciao bella!

I would love to add more pattern paper to my stamp projects and more variations toghether...kind of like what Heartfelt Greetings does, but not blindly! ;) I don't have that much courage going for 2008! LOL! Happy New Year! Lisa K

Love your card sketches-- I really need to stamp more as I spend too much time on stamping sites and blogs. I also want to try more techniques. I need to practice more with my gamsol and pencils. Thanks for this chance to win your blog candy---Karen Naber (hpnaber@msn.com)

I made a new years resolution early in Nov. I am not going to hoard all my cards anymore---I am going to mail them! I want to improve remembering to send them to people for special occasions and just because. Thanks for a chance!________Cyndimy blog:http://www.scrappychick.typepad.com

Happy New Year and Happy Blogoversary! I would like to be able to stamp on a more regular basis. I love to stamp and can never seem to find the time to drag everything out. Maybe that should be my new year resolution--to clean out my sewing room (which I don't use anymore) and turn it into a stamp room. I think that sounds like a plan.

Happy New Year Julee!I LOVE that card to. I bet the set will be great:)I would like to see me take more chances in my life. As far as stamping and in my life itself. I want to also try to learn how to color my images better. I just learned how to blend in with my blending stumps. So now to make it all look better.

But mostly take chances and go for it. I am not that type of girl usually. I like to plan things out and don't like surprises. But I want to change that.

Thanks for the chance to win one for your great stamp sets:)I enjoy your blog. ThanksLisa Cox

Congragulations on your anniversary and, as usual, the card is fabulous. This year I want to force myself to participate in some challenges, upload some cards on websites, and to not be just an observer from the sidelines.

Gee..I would like to have my craft room table ready for me to work on when I get home from work instead of clearing if off from the last project.Also, quite spending as much money on items I really don't have to have and use what I do have.

Happy New Year and Blogoversary Julee! I'm glad your husband talked you into blogging also. I just love seeing your creative ideas and they are so inspiring. Count me in on this sweet celebration candy. I would like to:1. Do some challenges2. Use up my stamping supplies instead of being a collector of them.Thanks for a chance.cmeyers@hughes.net

In 2008 I just want to keep my stamping in perspective. If i'm not careful stamping becomes somewhat of an addiction and all other things fall by the wayside ! I want to be able to spend time doing what I love, but know that i've gotten all my other priorities accomplished , home school, cleaning, meals ect. I hope you accomlish your goal as well, happy 2008- can't wait to see the new releases !!Laurie from stamping for gods glory

Happy New Year Julee. I love your blog... you are very talented! Hmmm... I want to learn more about coloring in my stamping... I would love to get some copics but I don't know if I can purchase them quite yet. Thanks for sharing your blogaversary with us! Happy Blogaversary! ksun_1999@yahoo.com

This year in my stamping, I want to become more consistent. I would like to stamp at least three times per week and post them within two days. If I could stamp and post every day, I would be very happy!!! But, as a homeschooling mom of a very active 13 year old, and a youth ministry volunteer and an animal shleter volunteeer, I think 3 times a week is reasonable!!

Happy 2008 Julee. First off, thanks so much for sharing all of your inspiring creations with us. I would like to spend the next year keeping caught up with my 3 boys' scrapbooks. I'm getting there, but I am easily distracted and have a hard time staying focused. Thanks for the chance to win!

Julee - What a beautiful card! I just love your new "clear" line of stamps. My stampin goals for the year is to add Copic markers to my supply stash. I just marvel over the beautiful cards that are made using this markers. Maybe I will get some for my birthday. Have a great week!

I am going to try to actually use the stuff I have here and stop hoarding it. I actually managed to make a card using just things I had here instead of running out to buy something to make that one card. That felt good, so it's time to keep that up!

Julee, what an incredible give away. Your question is very good and one I have been pondering the past few weeks. I think that what I want to change/improve in my stamping life is stepping out of my box to try new techniques. I need to stop being scared of trying. Plus, I want to start creating those projects that I have been saying I will do. For example: soldering, board books, altered books, tins, etc.

Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! Thank you for sharing your amazing cards and sets. You've definitely enabled me in more ways that one!!

I would like to see for myself in 2008 -- to take more chances and not hold back and be afraid of making mistakes. I sometimes end up doing nothing because I'm afraid to cut into paper or mess something up. But I can't if I don't try.... :)

Congrats Julee on your Blogoversary!! What a wonderful accomplishment!! I love your card, too...so pretty!! I would like to develop my coloring skills...shading, blending, especially backgrounds. I also want to get more organized and finish some projects that have been sitting on the counter for too long!!

What a way to start the new year... WONDERFUL blog candy!! Changes in my stamping life??? I would like to create more consistantly...just to be MORE productive! I think entering more swaps would definitely help out in this area....Happy New Year!

I guess I'd like to get better at stamping. I used to stamp and then quit when I discovered scrapbooking. Now, I'm ready to expand my craftiness a little bit and I'm looking forward to getting back into stamping. I've enjoyed reading all the stamping blogs that are available with tips and advice and such.

Julee, Congratulations on your anniversary!!! Like you, I too, have found so many friends through stamping and blogging. I love your new sets and especially this sample - SO FLIRTY!!!

I have two goals related to my hobby (uh, stamping!) (1) to get a little more organized and streamline my craft room (2)improve my coloring skills - maybe we should look at a community ed class? eh? Look forward to another great year.

Happy New Year Julee! I love your card. I think what I need to improve on is just using what I have instead of hoarding it all. I have so many embellishments and beautiful DP's to be used. Also, I need to be better at sending out cards more often. Thanks for the opportunity to win!Pauline

Your card is lovely. What would I like to see in 2008? I would like to be more organized...when I am looking for a punch (or ribbon or embellishment, etc.) I could walk into my craft room and find it. Wouldn't that be a novel idea???? LOL!!!

Happy New Year and Blogversary! I just love this card! What a fabulous set for Valentine's Day! I want to incorporate different techniques into my cards and scrapbooking. I tend to use the stuff I am comfortable with over and over. I want to test my creative boundaries a little more. I am seeing so many great techniques on SCS that I want to try.

Happy New Year Julee! I agree totally - blogging really is fun! Congrats on your milestone! Your card is really adorable! I would like to branch out and try new things - get a little crazy trying some new techniques and such! Thanks for the chance! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

Congrats on your milestone. Firstly, I like to find time - or make better use of the time I do have - so that I could stamp. I tend to get sidetracked by looking for inspiration on the computer and then I find myself with little time to stamp. Secondly, I need to limit my spending on new stamps - except yours that is - and use what I have in all of those boxes.

The giveaway is great - I like all the sets! I know exactily what I'd like to see change in my stamping this year & that is for me to quit surfing so much & looking at all the great cards there are out there & just get busy & do some myself! I have oodles of paper just waiting for me to get busy!

Hmmm, I would like to definately improve on my coloring - it's rather non-existent right now so I stay away from stamps, etc that require this and I would like to get more scrapbooking done and not take so long to finish a layout! That's all I can think of right now!

Happy New Year Julee!! One thing I am going to change is to not be so critical of myself and let myself be a beginner. I have only been stamping for a few months and see all of these amazing cards and get discouraged but that stops now. 2008 is going to be the year that I let my creative light shine! Thank you for this awesome opportunity!

I would love to learn to use Copics, too. They are so expensive that I haven't bought a set yet, but I keep looking at them and reading about them! lol I'd also like to just make better use of my time. I spend too much time on the computer, too! I love your card! I really like the fonts and styles you chose for this set!

Julee, you just tickle me. I love Wild Things. Yes, you make my heart sing. Your's is one of the first sites I go to everyday. You inspire me like you would not believe. I love your twist on stamp sets. Keep up the good work. My goal this year is getting better at adding the bling to my cards and a better job at layering. Keep up the good work. Hugs.

Happy New Year. I love your card. I would like to learn more about design basics and color. Hopefully this will give me more confidence in my card making skills and I'll make more of my own designs and do less CASEing.

I'd like to make more cards so that perhaps I could try selling a few. Instead of making one of a kind, I'd like to increase to 6 of each. I need to use some of the paper and stamps that I've never tried out. Thanks for the chance to win...you have a fun blog that I really enjoy visiting.

Wow, what a great question...well first off, I would like to have more time!!!! Ok I guess we all would, but I would really like to improve on my coloring/shading skills. i don't have Copics or Prismacolor markers, but the watercolor pencils as well as regular ones to use with OMS, so that i my hope for '08:-)

Happy New Year!! What a great question! I am going to work on creating a space to craft in! At this point I have nowhere and I just pull out all of my stuff (ALL OF IT!!) it takes me more time to get it out and put it away then it does to do anything. I am turning a bit of the office in our SMALL home into a craft room! I am so excited! Thanks for the opportunity!

Happy New Year! Happy New Resolutions! I plan to further organize my stamping room -- I pull everything apart and end up stamping in total disarray! I also hope to create more rather than just case -- I waste so much time surfing the net for ideas! I also got a new cuttlebug for Christmas so I plan to use it a lot in the near future! TFS! Jeanne

I look at so many other beautiful cards with a very different look than mine and then tell myself, I'm not in the same league as them.But there is the answer, right, I am not them, so why try to copy. So with all the tips I've learned I am going to try to perfect my style (whatever that is) and as Frank Sinatra used to sing,"I'll do it my way." with thanks to all my teachers out there.

Wow! I am so anxious to see the other sets...this one is fabulous! This year, I would like to continue to develop as a stamper & actually make money doing it! I really love creating the cards but don't like the business aspect of it...I would also like to scrap more this year. Thanks for providing such inspiration!!

Great card love the pink and black! Striking. I need to learn to be a neater crafter. I have an office and I have it so cluttered up that I can't even use it and have spilled into the dining room with my craft stuff. So I need to learn to clean up my clutter and get organized so I can find my things!

Happy New Year. Great question. I want to use more of my embellishments. I love them and tend to hold on to them. I also want to start submitting my work to magazines. Thanks for the inspiration you give others by way of your blog. Mary

I love your blog. Your work is so very inspiring to me. There is nothing I love more than stamping and creating. This year I plan on moving my stamp collection/supplies to my new room (when its finished). Likely will find all kinds of things that I had bought but haven't used. Take care and keep up the terrific work.

Happy New Year!I would also like to improve on my coloring styles/mediums, etc. I often see one thing in my head yet another comes out in my work! I'd also like to do a better job at using embellishments. After I'm done with a card I have an "oh yeah" moment when I realize I forgot to add or do something else but it's too late to do so!

I want to do more scrapbooking and card making and less of looking for ideas. I love my computer and read 100's of blogs each week but I am getting very few layouts or cards done. I will have to discipline myself so that I can make time to fulfill this desire.Thanks for sharing your expertise. Happy New Year from Queensland Australiakendellm@bigpond.net.au

Have more time to stamp and suddenly wake up one morning and artistically inclined and be the perfect colorer! I can't think of designs on my own, I have to see it somewhere first then I can do it!! Thank goodness for blogs and everyone sharing ideas!!!

Congrats Julee!!! I read your blog every day and i think that you are amazing!!!! MY stamping goal for this year is to be published....and to be cleaner lol!!!!! Keep up the fantastic work this fine new year.

oh my gosh where do I start??!! Well, I want to start actually using all my scraps instead of organizing them away in boxes, I want to keep my workspace cleaner, I want to try to design a new card everyday and I want to spend more time actually creating than surfing my many favorite sites!

Welcome to 2008. I would like to see myself do more stamping this year, and not so much buying supplies, so I guess then also using what I have. But I feel the one biggest change that will help all this will be to become better organized and start a small stamp/scrap area in my ds playroom, and help them both enjoy arts and crafts with mommy.

Love your blog. I'm so glad that you listened to your hubby and did it. Thanks for sharing. As far as my stamping goes, I'd like to see myself using everything that I buy instead of just buying it and looking at it.

I would like to find a really brilliant way to store my goodies so that I know what I have for embellishments. I'm pretty good at knowing what stamps I have, but what goes with them is a mystery to me. So, organization is something I'd like to change or improve for myself. Thanks for the chance to win.

Great card first off. I like the layout you chose. I am with you on the shading thing. I have just started using Copics, Primacolors, and such. I am just getting my toes wet (sometimes with my blending pens) and would really like to improve. I look at all the fabulous artwork on the blogs out there and try to learn from all of it!

Love your card (except that the song is now stuck in my head)! he he. I would like to improve my coloring skills. I'm still trying to figure out shading. I would also like to be better about actually sending out the cards I make.

Happy New Year and Blogoversary! I'm so glad you started a blog to share you creative process with us! I really enjoy it.

Like many of your other commenters, I need to spend more time this year actually creating, especially for myself, and use the (desperately needing to be organized) products I already have... Wish me luck, on both counts! :) Thanks, and congrats!Mary (mashby@illinoisalumni.org)

Thanks so much for the chance to win some blog candy! This year, I'd like to really develop more of my own stamping and design style rather than relying so much on other people's designs. I always feel so helpless when I try to design my own things but I'd also like to come up with my own "voice" and do things without a safety net all the time!

Happy New Year!! I think for 2008 I will try to start using those embellishments that I have been saving for so long because I was afraid to use them for fear of them being gone and not being able to find more of them. Same goes for paper that I have been hoarding.

happy new year Julee and happy anniversary! I have enjoyed your Mojo Mondays and plan to participate for each one this year. My improvements/changes for the year are: that I keep my stamping space tidier, make a birthday card for all friends and family and get them mailed on time and to submit for publication this year. I also have hopes to start a blog. Thanks for all that you do!Chriss

congrats on one year! I've just discovered you recently but I love the sketches and all your artwork is beautiful!I hope to improve my combination of colors/patterns. I am like you, no classes ever and I have a hard time picking out that WOW color or pattern...always play it safe. This year I want to play and go bold! Happy New Year!

In 2008 I want to get caught up on my son's scrapbook and make sure every card that I send out is the best work I can possibly do. Also, I want to have more get togethers at my house and have more crop days where we can share ideas.

Happy 1st anniversary and also Happy New Year! This year I would like to be more productive and try to use each of the stamps that i purchase at least once!!! Thanks for offering the great blog candy!!

I'm old enough to sing the next line "you make everything groovy", which applies to all your creations! My goal is to take the challenge from the computer to my stamp room, and DO IT! Thaks for a great blog! Diane

Hi Julee. Congratulations on your first anniversary. What I need to do this year for my stamping is set up the craft room. The room is there, I just need to clean it out and set it up. I have things I haven't used because I've forgotten about them, or I can't find what I need when I want it. Very frustrating! Hope your 2008 is the best year yet. God bless. Linda

Hi Julee! My goal for this year is to figure out how to take really good pictures and then be faithful to upload them to SCS and my blog! I can do it. . . I can do it. . . :-) Thanks for the chance to win!

Believe it or not I am new to the stamping world and Iam sooo excited. I will be starting my first class at the end of Jan.I have purchased my very first stamps and can't wait to add to my small collection!Thanks for the chance to win and add to my collection!Shannon

Julee first I wanted to say happy new year and that I have loved all your stamp sets thus far and the sneak peaks for this release look great. This year my goal is to try new techniques and actually get around to posting all the cards I make.Melissa

Happy New Year! Love your card!!!I want to find more time to stamp this year. Time is a real issue. I've received so much inspiration that I just have to do more stamping and use the beautiful papers I have and stamp, stamp, stamp.

This is a great card. I NEED that Wild thing set. It goes with my last name so we use the "Wild Thing" quote a lot.My stamping goals would include to use my stuff, buy less and go for it! (Trying out for more DTs)Happy New Year, Julee!!

THAT is a great question!In 2008, I hope to 1-get my stamp room organized. 2-be more productive w/my precious crafting time. 3-send more of the cards i make!!! (what good does it do to have them sitting around?)Also, I hope to be more involved in the SCS&blog challenges to get my creative juices flowing.Thanks for your blog-you are such an inspiration.Terri

Like alot of others, I want to get more organized and I'm going to move my stamp room back to the basement after painting the room down there. I took over a beautiful spare bedroom for stamping but I want that room back now too. Love your blog. Jackie

Thanks so much for a great year of blogging. To answer your question, I don't do alot of stamping but I do make alot of cards. Some include stamping and others don't. The biggest change I would like to make is to get published. That would be awesome. Thanks again

Happy New year!!! This card is adorable!!! My goal this year is to work on my layouts and sketches and find one or two that truly works for me. I feel like I am all over the map with them, and nothing has "ME" written all over it. Thanks for the great giveaway!!! Chris

A whole year? Wow! To quote you, "Hooray for blooging"! Yes, you really did make that typo.... LOL!

What do I want to see change or improve in my stamping life? I think the biggest thing would be for me to keep my stamp table organized which in turn would make more time for stamping. So many times I get the mojo and go in there and am faced with 20 minutes of clean up and re-org that I just walk away.

Julee, thank you for inspiring us each and every day with your beautiful work and stamps! This year, it's all about simplifying for me. I have so many sets and product that I don't use, so I'm going to be passing some things on to others and limiting my new purchases. I also need to spend less time on the computer and more time stamping. ;) Which will also allow me to make more time to stamp with friends. Happy Blogoversary!!! Best wishes in the New Year!

I think what I'd like to change is to find more time to just stamp! I have great intentions, but just never seem to get to my desk to do it. I LOVE stamping too...but sometimes it just seems too overwhelming. With that said, maybe what I really need to do is clean up and reorganize my space so that it's easier to sit at my desk and stamp!!! LOL!

Oh be still my heart! What an absolutely beautiful card Julee! I love the set you designed too! Absolutely gorgeous!

I too would love to improve upon my coloring skills! Right now I'm a color within the lines kind of gal and have no clue when it comes to achieving depth/shading. I would also love to improve my overall composition/layout on my cards.

Adorable card! Happy New Year! There are several things I wish for, but I'll just list 2....First, I want to be able to set more time aside to just stamp (learn to get more done with the little time I have). Second, start creating more cards on my own instead of relying so heavily on SCS or blogs to pump up my mojo!

wow, what an accomplishment. I want to work on having a more consistant stamp time. I let too many other things get in the way and I think that I need to be more consistant with *taking* time to stamp and making time for me to stamp.

I'm wanting to think more outside of the box....you know, change up the same 'ol layouts and add an embellishment here or there that I wouldn't normally do. My main hurdle with this is I tend to "hord" my embellishments!?!?! A hurdle I hope to "jump" real soon. Happy New Year and thanks for the chance at a stamp set from a great company!!

Happy new year!My one thing to change this year is get stamping and less surfing..I see so many wonderful cards, and not having enough supplies, I always feel I can't make good cards.Whatever I have, will be used to make better cards, and to try a lot of sketches..

What a beautiful card!!! This year I want to learn how to make fun cards like yours!! I am new to the whole crafting thing, I started making Christmas cards and absolutely loved it! I am starting to build up my supplies...stamps would be a welcome addition!! Thanks for the chance!n.lindsey@hotmail.com

Happy New Year Julee. What comes to mind for me is to get more stamping done. Hopefully get back into scrapbooking. Get my blog moving as well as yours. Learn how to do online tutorials.Debbyhttp://debbysstampinheaven.blogspot.com/

Happy Blogoversary!There are so many things I should be doing this year...less surfing and more creating, work on the many years of scrapbook photos that have been ignored since I started making cards, make cards well before they are needed (and not in the 10 minutes right before we need to head out the door!)...where do I stop? ;-)

First of all, CONGRATS on a year!! I only found you about 6 months ago, but I enjoy each and every post!!

Now, on to the question! I am going to stop HOARDING and actually USE all the great stuff I have! I am sure many stamps can relate!!! :-D I also want to get more organized so I can see what I have, to facilitate the "using" idea! WISH ME LUCK!!!

Love your card and your stamps. This year I would like to become more organized and find more time for stamping. Even with being retired there is never enough time for the "happy stuff". I enjoy your blog very much.

Happy Blogoversary! I am so excited to see the new verve stamps, I love all of the ones out so far, I am sure to love these too! I think my biggest area for improvement is just DOING IT! There are lots of techniques I see, and think about trying but rarely get around to it..I guess I'll set a resolution to be better!

OMG, I have really got this on my mind lately...I need to use my stash in 2008. There are so many things that I buy and buy but never use because I'm scared that I'll mess up. Crazy huh? No more I say! :)

hey julee, happy blogiversary!!! that's great! i would love to win one of the new sets and can't wait to design with the new hearts one!my crafty goal is to work on getting published this year. i have several stampers cheering me on, and i just need to make the effort to submit stuff! lofty, i know!!!

Happy Blogavarsary!!! I am so glad you started your blog because that is how I became your cyber friend! And I totally agree...it seems like we've known each other for YEARS!

Now...for the question. I am going to try to find my own 'style" this year. I bounce from cutsie and sweet to vintage and elegant...but I don't really have a "oh, that's a colleen card" style. I also would like to do more READING about the new products and styles out there...maybe expand into a mixed media sort of thing???

Your card is adorable...I can't wait to see your new sets. Hugs to you!

Congrats on the upcoming milestones. I have so many stamping goals that it's hard to say. I would like to learn more about layout and design, but I also want to be more adventurous in my stamping (do things I really like, even if they are not classic design). I would also like to improve my coloring which leaves so much to be desired.

Hi JuleeThe change I want most is to get the small room my stamping supplies are in organized enough that I can see out of all the windows and have the floor clear! This room also functions as the computer room so there is a lot of work to be done. Then, I want to stand back and say "Ahhhh, it looks so nice" because I know it won't be long until new merchandise comes in and more organizing will be needed!

I want to finish my inventory list of all my stamps - mounted and unmounted. I had started a binder of my stamps a few years ago, but we moved and that got thrown on the back burner. I REALLY need to get this done so that I know what I have and where to find it.

Actually, my stamping goal for this year is to actually stamp and not just buy stamps. I'm really good at collecting stamp sets and collecting great ideas online, but I haven't stamped much at all for a good while. I have plenty of great ideas but I'm not doing anything. So there you have it - this year I'm going to STAMP! :) I'm trying to finish my bachelor degree this year, so I'm not going to attempt any loftier goals. :D

Welcome

I'm Julee Tilman, owner and Illustrator for Verve Stamps and founder of the Mojo Monday sketch challenge. I'm also Mama to five year old identical twin boys. To read a little bit more about me click here.

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This blog is for personal inspiration only and all projects are my original designs unless otherwise stated. I own Verve Stamps and have received products and materials to work with from several generous companies over the years. While I have received free products from these companies, I maintain the freedom as an independent designer to say what I truly think of their products. I will never recommend something that I don’t personally use and enjoy. Some posts contain affiliate links to Amazon.com. If you buy products from Amazon by clicking my links, I get a small commission. This does not affect the price of the items your purchase.